Leviste says politics behind murder raps

Before leaving the Makati City Jail Wednesday after posting bail, former Batangas governor Antonio Leviste maintained politics was behind the murder charges lodged against him. Radio dzBB reported that Leviste held a mini-dog show and a press conference at the jail before he was to leave the premises. Leviste said that when he surrendered to Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay after the incident, Binay already said the case was closed. But he said Malacañang was angered over the development and sought to have him jailed. He voiced vindication of sorts over the court's granting of bail to him, saying that if he were indeed guilty, his former wife Loren Legarda would not top the counting in the senatorial race. Last Tuesday, Leviste said he wants one more day in jail before posting the P300,000 bail set by a Makati court. He explained he wants to have one "last dinner" with his fellow inmates at the Makati City Jail, where he had been detained since February, before savoring his liberty. But he said he is also happy over his bail, saying it proves the murder case against him lacked substance and that he was "innocent" of the charges. Leviste claimed self-defense in shooting dead long-time aide Rafael delas Alas inside his office in Makati City last Jan. 12. Prosecutors initially charged him with homicide but the justice department ordered that the charge be upgraded to murder. - GMANews.TV